IMPHAL, July 12: According to the Prohibition of Sale of Cigarettes and
Other Tobacco Products around Educational Institution Rules, 2004, the
sale of tobacco products is strictly prohibited in the area within a
radius of 100 yards (approximately 91 meters) of any educational
institution. However, tobacco products are sold openly right inside the
campus of Manipur University without any intervention from the concerned
authority.
These prohibition rules have been framed under section 6
of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of
Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply
and Distribution) Act, 2003.
The tobacco products such as
cigarettes, pan, khaini, gutka, pan masala etc. are found being sold in
some stalls attached to the quarters of lower grade employees of the
university. The consumers of such tobacco products are none other than
the students of the university. Moreover, these stalls are located near
the three boys’ hostels of the university and are frequented by the
students as they also sell tea, snacks and other commodities of daily
use.
One hosteller of Thangjing Boys’ hostel told IFP that he used
to occasionally consume pan and some other tobacco products like khaini
and gutka while returning to his hostel, but now he has become addicted
to the substances.
He said, “I have to demand extra money from my
parents just to meet my daily expense on tobacco products. Normally, I
spend about Rs. 50 daily to buy them including cigarettes”.
Just few
meters outside the campus of Manipur University, almost all grocery
shops sell cigarettes, pan and other tobacco products. There is no
restriction in the sale of tobacco products near the university campus
even if there is a prohibitory act.
As per the rules, a fine of upto
Rs 200 can be imposed for selling tobacco products within a radius of
100 yards of an educational institution. The offence is compoundable
which means no case will be registered if the offender pays the fine.
It is also mandatory for the authority of the educational institution
to display and exhibit boards outside the premises stating that the sale
of cigarettes and other tobacco products within the stipulated area is
prohibited. These 100 yards should be measured from the outer limit of
the boundary walls of the institute.
It may be mentioned here that
the Delhi High Court, on March 21, directed the Delhi University to
issue directions to its colleges to appoint nodal officers to ensure
that no outlet is found selling tobacco products within a the university
us of 10 yards of the educational institutions.
It is high time for
the authorities of Manipur University to check the sale of tobacco
products inside the campus and within 100 yards of its premises. The
anti-tobacco campaign should also touch this prestigious central
university. Higher education does not mean only the specialized
knowledge a student receives in a particular field. The students should
also be well aware of the harmfulness of tobacco products and should
organize themselves to launch anti-tobacco campaign in their campus
itself.